Grazer AK (W) 2-4 Sudburgenland Women — Sudburgenland Women left Graz with a convincing victory in an International Club Friendly, scoring twice in each half to secure a 4-2 win over Grazer AK's women's team on Friday, 9 October 2026.

The match, staged at the club's training base in Graz, formed part of the autumn programme for two Austrian sides using the international window to test squad depth and sharpen match fitness. It delivered six goals, a penalty, and a clear demonstration of the difference between creating chances and converting them.

Match overview

Grazer AK (W) enjoyed the better of the early possession but found themselves behind on 11 minutes when Nadine Pichler finished off a rapid Sudburgenland counter-attack. The visitors doubled their advantage on 34 minutes through Sarah Wagner, who converted from close range at the back post after a well-delivered cross from the right.

The hosts halved the deficit four minutes before the interval. Katharina Bauer seized on a half-cleared ball at the edge of the box and drilled it past the goalkeeper, sending her team into the break with genuine belief at 2-1.

Second half turns on the penalty

Grazer AK (W) started the second period with renewed energy, pressing higher and forcing the visitors deep. Their momentum was interrupted, however, when a challenge inside the penalty area on 58 minutes gave Sudburgenland the chance to restore breathing space. Laura Steiner made no mistake from twelve yards, making it 3-1.

To their credit, the hosts responded immediately. On 68 minutes, a flowing move down the left ended with Elena Novak finishing neatly inside the area to make it 3-2 and set up a tense final twenty minutes. But Sudburgenland's game management was excellent: they slowed the tempo, kept the ball in the corners and struck again on 77 minutes through Marlene Fuchs, whose composed finish settled the contest at 4-2.

Key moments

• 11' — Nadine Pichler scores the opener on the counter.
• 34' — Sarah Wagner makes it 2-0 from a right-sided cross.
• 41' — Katharina Bauer pulls a goal back for Grazer AK (W).
• 58' — Laura Steiner converts a penalty for Sudburgenland.
• 68' — Elena Novak again narrows the gap to one goal.
• 77' — Marlene Fuchs seals the win.

Team news and selection notes

With no league points at stake, both coaches used the fixture to rotate. Grazer AK (W) fielded a blend of regular starters and younger squad members, changing the shape of the forward line midway through the second half in search of a third goal. Sudburgenland also made a series of substitutions after the hour mark, but crucially kept their central defensive pairing intact for the closing stages, which helped them absorb pressure without conceding again.

The match also gave both teams the chance to rehearse set-piece routines in a live environment. Grazer AK (W) won a number of corners without finding a decisive header, while the visitors' delivery from wide areas was consistently dangerous — a theme of the night.

Player performances

Marlene Fuchs was the standout for Sudburgenland, combining intelligent movement with a cool finish for the fourth goal. Nadine Pichler's early strike set the tone, and Laura Steiner handled the pressure of the penalty with real composure. For Grazer AK (W), Elena Novak was the most threatening player on the pitch in the second half, and Katharina Bauer's goal was the reward for a persistent display in midfield.

What it means going forward

The result itself carries no competitive weight, but the lessons do. Sudburgenland will be pleased with their efficiency in front of goal and their ability to control the closing stages of a match they led twice by two goals. Grazer AK (W) will take encouragement from the two goals and the second-half pressure, while acknowledging that the goals conceded — a counter-attack, a back-post cross, a penalty and a breakaway — point to defensive structure rather than individual errors.

For both squads, the friendly delivered exactly what the coaching staff wanted: ninety minutes of competitive intensity, useful minutes for returning and fringe players, and a clear checklist of what to work on before the domestic season returns to full speed.

Final score: Grazer AK (W) 2-4 Sudburgenland Women